Argentina leads Group B in World Cup

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 17: Gabriel Heinze, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina celebrate a goal by Gonzalo Higuain during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Updated at 11:00 AM CDT on Thursday, Jun 17, 2010

Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat trick and Argentina beat South Korea 4-1 at the World Cup on Thursday, putting the South Americans on the brink of qualifying for the next round.

Argentina took the lead in the 17th minute when Park Chu-young deflected in a free kick from Lionel Messi. Higuain made it 2-0 in the 33rd after Nicolas Burdisso passed along a cross from Maxi Rodriguez.

In first-half injury time, Lee Chung-yong pounced on a defensive mistake to close the gap, but Higuain's two second-half goals -- in the 76th and 80th minutes -- put the game away. Argentina leads Group B with six points off two victories.